The Padrón Black PB-97 is the latest release in the Black series, with the numbers referencing the birthday of Padron’s late founder, José Padrón. Initially introduced as the “José O Padrón 89 Birthday Blend” for Smoke Inn in Florida, the cigar was later released to TAA member stores as the Padrón Black 89.

• Wrapper: Nicaragua
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Size: Torpedo 6 3/4 x 54

The matte black-brown wrapper has a velvet feel and some veins. The pre-light aroma offers barnyard and cocoa notes. The cold draw is similar but heavier on the barnyard, with a nice draw.

Upon lighting, the cigar delivers quintessential Padron flavors: mocha, raisin sweetness, and earth. It has a nice straight burn and white ash. The retrohale is filled with black and white pepper, which lingers. The finish is dark chocolate, oak, and cream. The cigar is medium-plus in body and full in strength.

Second Third: The flavors transition to dark chocolate, charred oak, and earth, with a drier finish. The retrohale still has plenty of black pepper but is much softer than in the first third. Cocoa and pepper are present in the retrohale, with lots of smoke. The charred oak increases on the finish.

Final Third: The flavors include unsweetened mocha, oak, and pepper. The retrohale features charred oak and black pepper, while the finish has cocoa and graham cracker sweetness. The cigar remains medium in body and full in strength.

The Padrón Black PB-97 Maduro is a near-perfect cigar with excellent construction, flawless burn, and great flavor throughout. The amount of pepper in the retrohale during the first inch or so was some of the most intense I’ve experienced in a cigar. It could cure the common cold! While I love pepper in the retrohale, I was glad it decreased in intensity and stayed down through the rest of the cigar. This cigar is not just blowing smoke, and is a great example of Padrón at its best. Highly recommended.